Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-12-22
The Railroad Question.
FnEpERrcK's Position FULLY DEFINED

ed to recognize in discussion, one who so far
forgets no, one WHO is 90 far removed from
gentiity as to refer to u contemporary as
"the fellon who fills up the Catoctin Clarion
with news yet. on the principal that all
manner Of species are necessary III the econ
my Of creation, journalism must hc content
to suffer the introduction Of men into its
ranks that serve only to illustrate the e1-
trCmes of coarsencss. The Frederick Times,
sclfassumcd champion of the opposition to
the Midllctown Valley Railroad, has chosen
thus to open an article in reply to our critl
cislns of its course we shall in any future
reference to its articles consider only the
question at issue, rs we confess our lack of
taste and ability in innucnlo and coarse sar
caen.
Were it not that the Times article contains
several statements, that SO uncrrngly dis
cover and define the real issue. VIC should sec
no occasion to reply toit ;'as it is, it reminds
one Of persisting in humping the shadow
Of giant, 50 utterly devoid Of substance and
point is this article.
We shall proceed now to dsSect and an
alive it. We quote its first idea:
"THE TINES cannot see how Frederick would
be benefited by railroad running through.
out the length of Middlc,own Valley, there
hv ,Iiycr,ing that immense trade into an
other channel"
v,n Ia, mol, hat 4, rool hn b,i1t
for Frtdcricks benefit? Thcprcsumplion is
that the road is intended for the benefit Of
the Valley the Valley people certainly un.
dcrs,and it in that way. Why should any
one understand it otherwises
All There is one point understood no
enterprise in the county to be supported no
public good considered, the final outcome of
which doe, not result in Frcderck's benefit.
That Is a confession by Tile Times Of the
thoroughly selfish position occupied 10y Fred
crick in this matter. Now let US com
pare the above quotation with the next
scn,mcn, avowcd III Tie Times article. Ii
ssys: AT first glance, and the impression
made is a lasting one, it is readily seen that
Frederick can get along without Middetown
about as well MS Mlddleiown can get along
without Frederick.
Let US apply this proposition to the entire
county and then compare Frcdrrick's pres
cut resources and reliance upon the country
mans favor with what ii would he, were the
Times sheer at Midtllc;nwn Valley a truth,
generally.
1t say, further "Miadle,own Valley y, oplc
would only he benefited by u railroad in tina,
section, by quicker connection with Bal,'
more ~ a or in market"
Exactly; not only quicker but cheaper;
because it is essentially Il reproducing sec
,,on is why they want n more dire" and
cIcapcr market outlet. Tuc following com
mcnt ON this point Is rucrilc: There would
only be a small minority Of the people ben
Gifted principally those whose premises
would adjoin the railroad" Now note the
following bit of commercial economy: the
others, who would be compelled to hitch up
and go to the station in a wagon might just
AS well drive on to Frederick" That Is to
say, il the railroad did not traverse every
farm and on each farm erect an elevator, 50
that no one would be compelled to Glitch up
and go to the station in a wagon, the rail
road would be practically worthless to the
people. OF course 1t would be just as well"
tor Frcderick) to drive on TO Frederick"
This is the burden of the song Throughout,
and, If we mistake not, Middcown Valley is
even now pretty well informed on the sub
jcct Of Frclcrick's scltishncss.
"Pcoplc now.a days are not living for the
coming generation" says Times The young
men of Midtown Valley will resent and
their fathers prove the iaIltcy of this piece
of provcrbial philosophy. After rendering
more patent the fear in which it stands, Of
the building Of this road, than any thing else
it attempts in its article, Tile Times reckless
" utters thought, offspring Of an ardent
hope to the effect that NO one has any no
ton of constructing such a road" In this
oracular way Is the entire subject disposed
Of but inasmuch rs The Times is not IeCog
nized AS authority on any other subject, the
people will be slow to recognize 1t as having
any weight in this. 1t is useless to remind
one guilty of the absurdity, that we have
rendered apparent, in Its last article, that in
tcligent and well considered talk" is not
cheap" that clear headed statement, logi
cal and carefully drawn Conclusions do for
ward enterprises, but inconsistent, sclt-com-
initial and irrelevant talk" of the character
and weight that will he accorded the last
Times article, is properly adjudgcd when it
flppantlv says Talk is cheap
The Times has opened its mouth, only to
pu; its foot in it if 1t Will kindly inform the
people of Middctown Valley still further as
to the thoroughly selfish motives that urge it
to its present course, THE CLARION will gen
crouslv award to it it's full need of praise for
furiherlng the interests of railroad run
ming throughout the length of Middlctown
Valley"